Awww guys! Thanks for the reviews! I'm really inspired now. Well, I hope you like this chapter. By the way, I'm planning on updating this story everyday, so expect a new chapter everyday, okay. I'll be counting on your advice and suggestions if you don't like anything you read here. So please give me your reactions in the chapters you'd read. I aim to please, so I have to know. =)

Disclaimer: I don't own FFX2. Drat it....

Shuyin stared at Lenne for the longest possible time. She stared back with a deadpanned expression on her face. The light from the torches made her angelic face even more innocent. He hated it. How could such a thing of beauty turn his life around in a matter of two days?

"What did you just say?" he asked, letting go of Lenne's shoulders, his arms dropping limply to his sides.

Lenne retained her dumb expression. "I want you... I need you to be my Guardian."

At that, Shuyin felt his insides quiver. He shook his head. "Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no. Oh, no you don't."

Grey eyes started to beseech him, wordlessly planting guilt within his usually cold heart. "Please."

Shuyin raised his hand as if to lay emphasis on what he was going to say, only to discover he couldn't think of anything to say to the owner of those beautiful eyes. He sighed in frustration. "Lenne, you hardly know me. A Guardian is supposed to be there for you. Someone who will take care of you when you need caring. Someone who is willing to offer his life, before you offer yours."

Lenne bit her lip, the same way she did when they first met. "I have no one."

Shuyin looked at her intently. "Everyone has someone."

Lenne looked back at him. This time, he saw a spark in her eyes that weren't there before. Was it sadness? "I suppose you have your someone?"

"Er..." Shuyin stammered, scratching his head. "The truth is, I have no one as well." It was embarrassing to admit, that he actually had no one after bravely saying everyone had someone.

Lenne grinned, a little – if not all – of the sadness going away. "Then wouldn't it be nice to have each other?"

Shuyin felt his face burn. Turning away from her and making his way to the inner chamber, he sat down on the platform of another High Summoner he didn't know the name of. "Well, anyway, aren't you supposed to go do your business with the Fayth here? I mean, you're going to be a Summoner now. I'm surprised no one has gathered to witness the birth of another Summoner."

Lenne looked over at him, her hands clasped behind her back. "The truth is, I didn't tell anyone."

"That's not nice. This is a special day for you. Your loved ones should be here."

"Not really. They know that I've been training since I was seven. I'm eighteen now. They all know that I'll be making my first Summons tomorrow, after my, I mean, the concert." Lenne moved to the other statue of another High Summoner right across him and sat down. "You see, if I pass, then it is for the whole of Zanarkand to know. But what if I fail?"

Shuyin shrugged his trademark shrug. "Then it is for the whole of Zanarkand to know as well. But failure, it's a passing ship. They'll moan about it for a while but forget about it in no time." He knew perfectly well what he was talking about. Once in the home game against the Al Bhed Psyches, there were ten seconds remaining on the clock, and he had the ball. There were a lot of embarrassing details, and when one would summarize it, they would just say Oh he fumbled the ball. What a shame. They won by three points. But to die-hard fans, it didn't matter. You fumbled the ball, so you were the goat.

Lenne smiled. Or at least she tried to. "I'm too spoiled because I get everything I want. I even get things I didn't know I needed." She got up. "It was wrong of me to force you into becoming my Guardian. I mean, who am I for you to put your life on the line for me? Although I know you just did, with the Tonberry. But I think that was already more than enough." With that, she started walking up to the stairs that led to the Chamber of the Fayth.

Shuyin followed her with his eyes. "Good luck."

"Thank you." Lenne pushed open the door but looked back at him before entering. "I really am sorry I got you into this. Since you have nowhere else to go, can you wait for me out here? Then we can make it back to the city proper together. Maybe by then the Tonberry would be gone?"

Shuyin made himself comfortable on his seat and slouching a little against the foot of the statue. "Sure. They'll eventually get tired and go away." He slipped his sword back into its scabbard and crossed his legs. "Well, if you need anything - "

"– I'll just call to you, right?" Lenne continued the sentence for him. She was holding on to the door with one hand, half her face hidden behind a curtain of dark hair.

Shuyin blinked then nodded. "Yeah."

With that, she disappeared into the door, which heavily closed behind her.

Shuyin listened to the echo of the door and found himself in a silence filled only with the faint singing of the Fayth. He looked around and tried to absorb his surroundings, and he wondered why it happened that the Temple was deserted. It rarely happened, as far as he knew.

Lying back on the cold platform, putting his arms behind his head, he stared at the high, almost unseen ceiling. There he was again with his favorite past time. He closed hi eyes and after a few moments, he was starting to drift into dreamland. It was such a weird dream. He dreamed that he was running after Lenne, who was being carried away by a group of Tonberry. She was calling out to him, but no matter how fast or how hard he ran, he just couldn't get to her. He reached out to her, when suddenly, a wide, damp object suddenly plastered itself onto his face. He clawed at it, screaming. Then he jerked awake.

He discovered that the damp thing was a broad piece of paper that had come out of nowhere. It had probably floated into the Temple from an unseen opening from somewhere above. He groggily shook himself from that eerie dream, sat up and looked down at the paper in his hand. He nearly fell out of his seat when he saw the picture of Lenne in a glimmering attire, mike at hand. Her hair was curled and styled in a way that was too sophisticated for his taste but he could never miss those grey eyes. It was unmistakably Lenne.

His breath catching, he heard Lenne's voice echo in his mind.

...I want you to come to a concert on the night after tomorrow. It's a special concert...

... You really don't know me?

He read the rest of the poster to himself. 1000 Word Concert by The Songstress Lenne. Don't miss her last but definitely her best performance in this era!

Shuyin gently looked up, closed his eyes and smiled. "You never even told me. And I didn't even know you." Standing up, he made his way to the nearest torch, crumpled the poster and threw it into the fire. It was immediately consumed into the ashes. Since Lenne didn't tell him first hand, he decided he had no right to know about it. He shuffled along back to the platform and lied down again, this time, slipping into a dreamless sleep.

Lenne stared at the Fayth as she gave her a small bow.

This was her first time to see a Fayth. She felt like she was watching a sphere. She was so faint and translucent to her. But she could see her well enough. She was a tall, thin lady in a revealing red dress, her silver hair looked really out of place for she had a young face.

"Hello, dear. What is your name?" said the Fayth. "I am called Mayali."

Lenne bowed down for a prayer and straightened. "I am Lenne, Lady Mayali. I wish to ask aid from your power." She kneeled down and did some complicated hand gestures she had for eleven years practiced over and over.

Mayali laughed. Lenne stiffened and wondered if she was doing something wrong. "Really now, child. Don't be so formal. Why is it that every single Summoner is as stiff as a board when they come and visit?"

Lenne looked up at her from the floor. "Huh? But Lady Mayali, this is how we were taught."

"I suppose...Get up, child. I wish to ask you something."

Lenne did so.

Mayali smiled at her. "We Fayth are beings that surpass time and space. We exist not only in this era, but also in the future. That is why I know all about you, Lenne. I know what lies in your future. But before that, I want to ask you. Who is that young man waiting for you by the Temple entrance?"

Lenne froze. This was such an unexpected question. "He is a friend, Lady Mayali."

"I see. Well, as far as I could see – and mind you, I see very far – you two will have a long journey ahead of you."

Lenne felt a sudden relief bubble up her throat. She was surprised at the degree of happiness she felt in knowing Shuyin would actually play an important role in her life. Then again, the moment she saw him, he kind of actually knew already. "That's good to hear."

Mayali was not happy, though. "Yes, a journey that is long and hard." She shifted. "However, I do not think I have it in my heart to tell you about it."

Lenne nodded. "I think that will be a good idea. I really am not interested to know my future."

Mayali was surprised. "This is a first. Very well." She waved her hand and suddenly, her image was replaced by a huge bird-like creature that looked like it was on fire. Its wing span could easily have been twenty feet wide, its majestic head almost touching the high ceiling.

Mayali's voice sounded inside the chamber. "I lend you aid, Summoner Lenne, with my Aeon. Call unto it by the name of the Phoenix! "

Lenne felt a hot wind suddenly rise from nowhere. She felt her skin prick and she backed away with a little squeak. Her long hair started to stand up and she felt herself scream but didn't hear her voice. Yevon, she was frightened! She glanced to where the huge bird was at, but gasped at what she saw. The Phoenix was circling over her like a large, burning vulture. One moment it was hovering, the next, diving.

Towards her!

She screamed loudly, holding her arms over her face, waiting for a burning sensation. She waited. And waited. But the hot stinging sensation didn't come. She opened one eye, then another. She lowered her arms and saw Mayali smiling sweetly at her.

"Congratulations, Lenne. You have become a Summoner."

Lenne couldn't believe it. She was expecting something to change in her. But she felt as if she were still the same.

"Do not be worried. Call upon me when you need my help. I will come, no matter what."

"Wait a minute. That's it? Aren't you going to ask me of my intentions why I wasn't to become a Summoner?" Lenne asked, hardly containing her disbelief.

At that, Mayali laughed richly. "Why do I need to? I know you more than you know yourself." And with that, she disappeared.

"Shuyin!"

Shuyin shot up from where he was lying the very moment he heard Lenne call. He quickly unsheathed his sword and ran up the stairs that led to the door of the Chamber of the Fayth. "Lenne! Wha - "

Before he could finish, the door exploded open and popped out an eager Lenne. He wasn't able to react fast enough. Lenne rushed out like an eager kid, jumped up and clung to his neck in an eager embrace.

"What the - !" Shuyin uttered, losing grip on his sword as the impact sent them both flying into the air. The girl didn't seem to have any sense of danger! Shuyin gasped as the air was knocked out of his lungs and, as if in slow motion, Shuyin put his arms around her and braced for the impact as they crashed onto the Temple pavement. Pain shot up from his back, sending a jolt to his skull. His sword clamored noisily a few feet to his left.

Lenne didn't seem to care. She raised her eager face to him and laughed like a maniac. "I've become a Summoner, Shuyin!"

Shuyin didn't know how to respond as his world was still spinning. When he finally came to his senses, he gulped at the reality of things. He was lying down, flat on his back with Lenne's hands pressing down his chest, her utterly exposed legs spread over his torso. Blood rushed to his face like a tidal wave. As usual, Lenne didn't show any shame at her position.

"Aren't you happy for me?" She asked.

Shuyin cleared his throat. "I am, really." He pushed himself up, propping himself on both hands. Lenne didn't let go of his chest and as embarrassing as it was, her legs were still around his body. "Congratulations."

Lenne giggled and threw her arms around him into another too-tight embrace. "I did it!"

Shuyin took a deep breath and was once again overwhelmed by her scent. Wildflowers mingled with a bit of sweat. Her long hair was draped all over her shoulders and his. She was breathing heavily. "Yes you did. I wasn't expecting you to be that quick. You haven't been gone for more than thirty minutes, to say the least."

Lenne pulled back, gazed into his eyes and laughed, but didn't say anything.

Shuyin shook his head but couldn't suppress a grin. "I'm honored to be the first to witness you success. Let's go back and tell everyone. There will be a celebration tonight."

Lenne didn't move.

"Lenne?" Shuyin patted her gently on the back. She didn't move. He gave her a little shake. Still no response. He held her by the arms and pulled her away from him. She had her eyes closed, her eyelids fluttering gently, like a child who was having a good dream.

"She's sleeping," Shuyin murmured. Shifting positions, he cradled her into his arms and stood up. He made his way to the platform where he slept, laid her there and sighed.

I guess we can't leave yet, then.

He looked at her sleeping figure and then moved to gather his sword. He could not believe how today was turning out. He crossed the Temple lobby and kneeled by the blocked entrance of the Temple and tried to peer out between the cracks of the now ruined statue of Lady Yunalesca. He could see the clearing, now free of Tonberry, and of any fiend for that matter. Judging from the light, he could say it was a little past noon. They needed to get out of there before nightfall, or Yevon knows what might be lurking in the dark. It'll probably take a good hour or so just to move the rubble. He glanced over his shoulder at the sleeping Lenne and sighed.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt if I let her sleep, just for a while...